Daniel Carter named player of the year

Daniel Carter at the New Zealand Rugby Union Awards. Picture / Dean Purcell

Star first five-eighths Daniel Carter has won the prestigious player of the year award for the second time in a row at the New Zealand Rugby Union awards in Auckland  last night.

The Canterbury, Crusaders and All Blacks' playmaker had already picked up the major awards at both the International and New Zealand Rugby Players Association prizegivings, voted by his peers.

Carter scored 33 points in the second test against the Lions, the most points ever scored against the Lions in a single test, and the third-most by an All Black in any test match.

His 26 points against Wales on the Grand Slam tour is the most scored by an All Black in a test against Wales.

Carter's All Blacks and Crusaders team mate Rico Gear was the other big winner on the night, being named both the Super 12 Player of the Year and the Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year.

Carter has also been nominated for the Halberg Awards.

Player of the year: Dan Carter
Outstanding contribution to NZ rugby: Richie Guy
Coach of the year: Graham Henry
Maori player of the year: Rico Gear
Referee of the year: Paul Honiss
Team of the year: All Blacks
Division one player of the year: Chris Smylie (Otago)
Division two player of the year: Clint Newland (Hawkes Bay)
Division three player of the year: Simanu Simanu (Wairarapa Bush)
Super 12 player of the year: Rico Gear
Sevens player of the year: Amasio Valance
Volunteer of the year: Daphne Boden (Hawkes Bay)
Women's player of the year: Melissa Ruscoe (Canterbury)
Age grade player of the year: Isaia Toeava